Campus News

Mercy College of Health Sciences Receives Second $25,000 Scholarship Gift from Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Grand Lodge of Iowa

(Des Moines, Iowa) - Mercy College of Health Sciences (Mercy College) received a second $25,000 gift from the Grand Lodge of Iowa of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) on October 20, 2014 to assist refugees and immigrants to complete their health science educational goals. The first check was for the 2014-15 academic year; the second gift will assist students in 2015-16.

These scholarships are assisting students who successfully completed an academic program offered by Mercy College when enrolled in a federal grant from the US Department of Labor, between 2010 and 2013, known as the Pathways to Health Care Careers – Iowa Project. The grant was in collaboration with Iowa Workforce Development and the Iowa Bureau of Refugee Services to address the need of healthcare employers to hire additional qualified individuals with the specialized understanding of the growing diversity of cultures found in Iowa.

The three-year grant produced a total of 180 graduates, from 33 countries, in one of five academic programs. Each academic field is considered an entry-level position, which when combined with further academic preparation will allow for other career opportunities in healthcare. IOOF Scholarships are allowing these refugees and immigrants to further their education and assume greater levels of leadership in communities all across Iowa.

The Grand Lodge of Iowa of IOOF represents 33 lodges across the state, and is a member of a worldwide altruistic and benevolent fraternal organization, composed of men and women of good moral character, who believe in a Supreme Being and are dedicated to elevating the character of mankind, making the world a better place, promoting good will and harmony and promoting wholesome and fulfilling fraternal experiences.

Worldwide causes promoted by IOOF in addition to education include arthritis and vision research, hunger and disaster assistance, reforestation, and United Nations pilgrimages for youth. In 2003, the organization launched an effort to establish a community in Battambang, Cambodia for children orphaned by personal, national or natural disasters.

The first of five (5) $5,000 IOOF Scholarships were awarded for the 2014-15 academic school year. Applications and program details will be posted in March 2015 on the Mercy College website, www.mchs.edu/scholarships.

Mercy College is the only Catholic college in central Iowa and is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC). To learn more about all of our health science academic programs, visit the College website at www.mchs.edu.